AODE is not holding first when selected
 

I am currently having an issue with my AODE transmission. It wont seem to hold 1st gear when I select it. It goes straight to second and holds it there. Other then that the transmission works great. I thought maybe a new performance valve body and a stage 2 shift kit would help it. It did alittle on where it shifted but it still jumps right into 2nd gear and holds it until I go to drive or overdrive. The research I have done in the past said something about maybe a faulty electrical part on the transmission. The part name I cant remember. If this is the case what would it be and where would I find it on the transmission to replace it? I would appreciate all the help I could get or any suggestions.

does your overdrive light blink? have you tried to read codes yet?

From what you say if it works fine but goes straight to 2nd i would lean towards solinoid failure.

No the overdrive button doesn't flash and I have replaced all the silinoids in the transmission. The codes have been run and nothing comes up.

what year car is this? i find it hard to belive there are no codes. Then again you say it had a valve body mod done which if done wrong can give you awsome problem i know...

It is a 95. The valve body was installed properly by a mechanic friend at a Ford dealership. The problem was before the valve body was installed. It continued after the install too. Could it be a loose wire in a harness somewhere?

Ah ok then i wouldnt worry about the valve body. God it could be a few things one of which is damaged wiring, i wouldnt really lean on mechanical problems because you say it drives fine besides that just start off in 2nd. It could be something to do with the gear selector level on the driveside of the transmission . It could be really out of alignment and you think the car is in first but its actully in 2nd. I would start by looking there (its the large metal level on the driveside of the tranny near the middle).

Its kind of a crap shoot over the net figuring this out though.

What would be the best way to access this on the transmission? Would it require dropping out the transmission or is it something I can do from the inside of the car? I removed the inside trim piece around the transmission shifter. Once that was set aside I found myself in a dilemma. How do i get past the black plastic piece that reveals the top of the transmission? A better description of this piece would be to include that it is the piece that reads P R N D 2 1, and also includes the overdrive button. If I'm looking in the wrong or right place let me know. Thanks again for the help so far.

its on the actuly side of the transmission under the car.